According to the Russian defense minister, the activity of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to find joint solutions to the major regional security problems is getting more and more important

A portrait of Sergey Shoigu seen at a training range in Russia

BEIJING, September 2. /TASS/. It is necessary to consolidate the efforts of the military departments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for settling regional security problems, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Wednesday during talks in Beijing with Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China.

"The activity of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to find joint solutions to the major regional security problems is getting more and more important," said Shoigu said. In this context, he said, "the question of consolidating the efforts of the military departments and the creation of new mechanisms of interaction is becoming as relevant as ever."

The combat friendship and mutual assistance during World War II laid a solid foundation for modern Russian-Chinese relations in the military sphere, the minister said. "Solidarity of Russia and China has major importance in countering attempts to falsify history, to make heroes of the Nazis and their allies," he said.

"Regular confidential meetings between the heads of Russia and China give a powerful impetus to the development of bilateral relations, including in the defence sphere," Shoigu said. "We pay special attention to the implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level," the Russian defence minister said.